title: Effectiveness of Qigong in promoting the health of wheelchair-bound older adults in long-term care facilities.
abstract: Institutional wheelchair-bound older adults often do not get regular exercise and are prone to health problems. The aim of this study was to test the effects of a 12-week qigong exercise program on the physiological and psychological health of wheelchair-bound older adults in long-term care facilities. Study design was quasi-experimental, pre-post test, nonequivalent control group. Participants comprised a convenience sample of 72 wheelchair-bound older adults (qigong = 34; control = 38). The qigong group exercised 35 min/day, 5 days/week for 12 weeks. Measures for physical health (blood pressure, heart rate variability, and distal skin temperature) and psychological health (Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5) were collected before and during study Weeks 4, 8, and 12. The qigong group participants' blood pressure, distal skin temperature, and psychological health were significantly improved (all p < .001). These findings suggest that qigong exercise is a suitable daily activity for elderly residents in long-term care facilities and may help in the control of blood pressure among older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. kmc@kmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Shu-Chien
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kuan
authors.forename: Kuei-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012881:Skin Temperature; D014910:Wheelchairs